Air Filter Changing
5-min job. Saves health + money.
Why change?
- Cleaner indoor air.
- Reduces allergies.
- Lower energy bills.
- HVAC lasts longer.
- Reduces dust + odors.
- Critical for seniors with respiratory issues.
Find your filter
- Furnace area — slot on side.
- Or in return air vent (large grille on wall).
- Look for arrow showing airflow direction.
- Photo current filter for reference.
- Note size on edge (e.g., 16x25x1).
- Bring photo to store.
How often?
- Standard 1" filter: every 1-3 months.
- Check monthly.
- Replace when dirty (flashlight test).
- Pets — every month.
- Allergies — every month.
- 5-inch deeper filter: 6 months.
MERV rating
- MERV 8 — basic dust + pollen.
- MERV 11 — pet dander + smoke.
- MERV 13 — bacteria, viruses.
- Higher = more filtration.
- But too high = strain HVAC.
- MERV 8-13 most homes.
Where to buy
- Home Depot / Lowes — $5-25 each.
- Amazon — subscription option.
- FilterBuy.com — discount packs.
- Costco — bulk savings.
- Tip: buy 4-6 at once for year.
- Cheap thin filters often suffice.
How to change
- Turn off thermostat.
- Slide old filter out.
- Note arrow direction.
- Slide new filter in matching arrow.
- Done!
- Set phone reminder for next change.
Subscription convenience
FilterBuy, Amazon Subscribe & Save — auto-deliver every 1-3 months. Forget to remember. Door delivery. 5-10% discount. No more guessing dates. Senior-friendly. Set + forget. $50-100/yr depending on size + frequency. Pays itself in HVAC longevity.